Local briefs: Oct. 15, 2013

Local briefs: Oct. 15, 2013

October 15, 2013 02:44PM

Drop off home hazardous waste at Eco-Depot

RICHMOND — The Richmond Department of Public Works and Richmond Conservation Commission will host an Eco-Depot drop-off event at the Richmond Transfer Station, 15 Buttonwoods Road, on Saturday, Oct. 19, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Rhode Islanders may bring hazardous waste material for recycling and disposal. The drop-off is free.

Home hazardous waste includes oven cleaners, window cleaners, flea collars, pool chemicals, nail polish removers, oil based paints, rechargeable batteries, mercury-containing devices such as old thermometers, fertilizers and pool chemicals, and automotive fluids. Anything that has a “skull and crossbones” label, or the words “poison”, “hazardous”, “danger”, or cautions it should be used in a properly ventilated area, is household hazardous waste or must not be thrown in the trash.

The youth choir and dance team from Uganda will perform a mix of contemporary and traditional African songs, drumming and dance.

For more information, call Erin Manni at 401-322-0088. For more information, about the choir, visit destinyafrica.org.

League of Women Voters hosting voter registration

NORWICH — The League of Women Voters of Southeastern Connecticut will present “How to Watch a Debate” and also register voters on Wednesday, Oct. 16, from 9:20 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., at the Norwich Adult Education school, 191 Hickory St. The program will be repeated on Monday, Oct. 21, from 6:20 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

“How to Watch a Debate” consists of a discussion on the importance of debates in helping voters understand candidates and their stance on issues, in discerning form over substance, and in comparing candidates and their positions. It also includes a taped debate between then-U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman and challenger Ned Lamont.

MYSTIC — The Old Mystic United Methodist Church, 44 Main St., will hold a Harvest Bazaar and Chowder Luncheon on Saturday, Oct. 19, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will feature clam chowder, sandwiches and homemade apple and pumpkin pie.

A crafts and boutique preview sale will take place on Friday, Oct. 18, from 9 a.m. to noon.

St. Edmund Retreat set to give annual honor

MYSTIC — The St. Edmund Retreat board of trustees and the Rev. Thomas F.X. Hoar will celebrate the virtue of life with the presentation of the 10th annual St. Edmund Medal of Honor on Friday, Oct. 18.

The event will begin with a Mass at Enders Island at 5 p.m. A reception, dinner and awards ceremony will follow at the Mystic Marriott, Groton, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

The cost is $175 per person. A table for 10, including a greeting in the evening’s program, is $2,000. Black tie requested. Call 860-536-0565, Ext. 152, email events@endersisland.com or visit endersisland.com for tickets or more information.

Recipients of the award from the area include Sir Knight Peter Balestracci, Knights of Columbus of Mystic, Margaret Taber, of Mystic, and Rear Admiral Richard Breckenridge, USN, of North Stonington.

The 2013 honor scholarship will also be presented to Marianna Vega, St. Bernard School Class of 2014.

Halloween display in Pawtucket vandalized

PAWTUCKET (AP) — A Halloween display in Pawtucket’s Slater Park has been vandalized by someone who broke pumpkins, snipped electrical wires and apparently tried to start a fire.

The Pawtucket Times reports that the damage at the annual “Halloweenland” display happened last week.

Anthony Walsh sponsors the event, which is aimed at young children and families.

He said someone apparently climbed a chain-link fence to get into it, and also broke through a sturdy lock on a storage shed.

Pawtucket Parks and Recreation Director John Blais said someone tried to start a fire but the grass and hay in the display were too wet.

Walsh is offering a $1,000 reward for information about who is involved. Police have also assigned a detective to the case.

Providence VA Medical Center gets new director

PROVIDENCE (AP) — The Providence VA Medical Center has named a top official from Boston’s Veterans Affairs health care system as its new director.

The Providence Journal reports that Susan MacKenzie will oversee the Providence-based system that provides care to about 35,000 veterans in Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts.

MacKenzie has served as deputy director of the VA Boston Healthcare System since 2004, overseeing the financial and day-to-day operations of three campuses. She served previously as deputy network director of the VA New England Healthcare System.

MacKenzie holds a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree and doctorate from Northeastern University in Boston.